Blog Post #3
Welcome back to my blog! After finishing my third reading assignment, I’m now over halfway
through Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, and I feel like I can now address
a big picture question about the book-- what is the author’s argument?
through Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, and I feel like I can now address
a big picture question about the book-- what is the author’s argument?
Considering the title of the book is a question in itself, those of you who aren't reading the book may
think that the main argument is the answer to that question, or something specific related to the title.
However, it is becoming clear to me that there is very little persuading going on in the book because
Beverly Tatum’s purpose seems to be to inform her audience about racism and where and why it
occurs so that we can become more aware of it in our own lives.
think that the main argument is the answer to that question, or something specific related to the title.
However, it is becoming clear to me that there is very little persuading going on in the book because
Beverly Tatum’s purpose seems to be to inform her audience about racism and where and why it
occurs so that we can become more aware of it in our own lives.
In some senses, I suppose her argument could be that despite common assumptions that racism in
America has died down greatly since its prime to a point where it is hardly relevant, racism is still
extremely prevalent in America.
America has died down greatly since its prime to a point where it is hardly relevant, racism is still
extremely prevalent in America.
One way that Tatum shows the beginning of this thesis, the “despite” part, is by giving numerous
examples of places where racism is relatively hidden in everyday life, showing the audience that while
we don’t notice it, it is there.
examples of places where racism is relatively hidden in everyday life, showing the audience that while
we don’t notice it, it is there.
Her strongest example of this relates to my first blog post, where I analyzed and responded to an
excerpt about a study she did with her students. To recap, the study was to show that certain things,
such as being a white hetero male, are socially normalized, and things that aren’t “normal”, as she says
in the book, are the most significant when describing someone. She asked her students to describe
themselves, finding that white people hardly stated their race, males rarely stated their gender, and
heterosexual people rarely mentioned their sexuality. On the other hand, colored people, women, and
members of the LGBT community always stated those parts of their identity.
excerpt about a study she did with her students. To recap, the study was to show that certain things,
such as being a white hetero male, are socially normalized, and things that aren’t “normal”, as she says
in the book, are the most significant when describing someone. She asked her students to describe
themselves, finding that white people hardly stated their race, males rarely stated their gender, and
heterosexual people rarely mentioned their sexuality. On the other hand, colored people, women, and
members of the LGBT community always stated those parts of their identity.
This study showed that even though we don't notice it, racism has weaseled its way into many parts
of our lives, in this example, our speech.
of our lives, in this example, our speech.
Tatum also made her argument by including data on diversity in the workplace. On page 219, she
showed that not only is it more likely for a white person to get a call back on a job interview than a
colored person, but it is more likely for a white person with a criminal record to get a callback than a
colored person who does not have a criminal record.
showed that not only is it more likely for a white person to get a call back on a job interview than a
colored person, but it is more likely for a white person with a criminal record to get a callback than a
colored person who does not have a criminal record.
Shocking information such as this help Tatum to show that there is still a significant amount of racism
and racial prejudice in America.
and racial prejudice in America.
To circle back to the beginning of my post, I still don’t feel like the purpose of the book is to make this
argument, although it is certainly an underlying point in the book. I feel this way because the argument
I've been talking about isn't often disagreed with, which I can tell from my personal experience as a
white American.
argument, although it is certainly an underlying point in the book. I feel this way because the argument
I've been talking about isn't often disagreed with, which I can tell from my personal experience as a
white American.
The audience of the book is likely white Americans who feel the same way I do, and by evaluating her
relatively calm and explanatory tone, I think the main purpose of the book is to educate the audience
more about racism in America, in places we both can and cannot see it, and why this all happens.
relatively calm and explanatory tone, I think the main purpose of the book is to educate the audience
more about racism in America, in places we both can and cannot see it, and why this all happens.
My question to you, most specifically those who are also reading this book, is: Do you agree that
Tatum’s book is purely educational, or do you think that her constant inclusion of data is to argue that
racism is still a large issue in America?
Tatum’s book is purely educational, or do you think that her constant inclusion of data is to argue that
racism is still a large issue in America?
Thanks for reading!
Hi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI like how at the beginning of your post you made the effort to connect with people who may be reading your blog that have not read this book. Even though I have not read this book, this blog post still made sense to me and I enjoyed reading it! From what I've learned by reading your blog posts, I will attempt to answer your question at the end. I kind of feel like maybe Tatum wrote this book for both of the two reasons you mention: not only to educate her audience about racism in America but also to point out that it still is a pretty big issue so that people will be encouraged to continue to try and make a difference and attempt to do things to help make racism less of an issue. There are so many people that live in secluded areas where they're not exposed to race because the majority of the population is white. Because of that, there's definitely people in America that just don't understand how much of an issue racism is. I think it's important for her to write the book because even if it's purely educational, it still describes the fact that racism is a problem in America and has that underlying argument. If racism wasn't such a large issue than she wouldn't really have had much of a reason to write the book right?
Hi Emily-
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that there isn't really an argument in this book as much as there is explanation (you worded this so much better than I did in my post). As you said, I think the argument is underlying, which I think Tatum is trying to defend why it's okay that people feel they've been discriminated against, like the study of resumes you mentioned.
To answer your question, I think that the repetitive inclusion of data is meant to help educate the public that might be more oblivious/unaware of the racism that is happening in America. Additionally, it could be helpful to people that do think racism is an issue based on personal experience, but would also like to know specific data and numbers to support their ideas, therefore opponents of them can't simply brush off their ideas. From the extensive information Tatum gives about herself at the beginning of her book, I don't think she intended for it to be all argument however, back to your question, people can take the information she gives as a good educational opportunity or want to fight with Tatum because they disagree.
Anyways, I liked your post above a lot. It's clear what your thoughts are and I think ending with a question was a good way to end this post in particular, as it gives readers something to think about as they go about the rest of their time.
This is a very well written post and is extremely clear and concise! I found it so interesting when you said " white people hardly stated their race, males rarely stated their gender, and
ReplyDeleteheterosexual people rarely mentioned their sexuality". This made me think about racism in a different way than I had before because I was able to connect to the idea that I do not state my sexuality or my race, yet I do tend to say that I am a feminist. Interesting ideas! Do you find yourself thinking the same way? Great job!!
Hi Emily! I really like how you wrote this blog post and I can see now that yes, much of it does seem to be more educational and less of her stating her own opinions. I think that's an interesting way to broach the topic, and perhaps more effective for her readers too. I remember reading that part of the book about how "it is more likely for a white person with a criminal record to get a callback than a colored person who does not have a criminal record." That part surprised me greatly and I was saddened by the fact that psychologically, a lot of white people tend to do things like this. Which reminded me of the essay we read and slam poet we watched for class the other day, about how even if it's by accident, some people still treat people of a certain color a certain way. I think your post was very well stated!
ReplyDeleteEmily, good overview of the content of the book. Are there other examples, besides the two that you provided, of how she develops this argument/point? I know many readers have felt like there isn't enough evidence in the book. Do you think that the idea of her argument is the reason for that?
ReplyDelete